Getting Rid of Moths with Essential Oils
Although small, Clothes Moths, Pantry Moths, and other pestilent moth species can be seriously problematic in your household. These minuscule pests wreak havoc on stored dry goods, expensive clothing, furniture, and more. When moth eggs hatch into larvae, they will eat their way through all sorts of stuff! So how can you get rid of these home invaders without the use of harmful chemicals or toxic sprays? Essential oils are one fantastic option to look into.
Using essential oil for moths is a great way to deter these insects from entering your home. Many essential oils are non-toxic, safe to use around pets and kids, and cost-effective for moth protection. Plus, essential oils smell a whole lot better than moth balls!
Here, we will go over everything you need to know about using non-toxic, chemical-free moth deterrents like essential oil for moths to keep these flying nuisances from troubling you! Then, you can keep your favorite outfits, snacks, and home decor safe without poisoning any family members or making your entire attic stink like moth balls from a thrift store.
Why Choose Essential Oils or Natural Moth Traps Over Insecticides?
There are many reasons to use natural moth deterrents like essential oils to repel moths. Essential oils are generally safe to use around pets like cats and dogs. They also won't cause any trouble for children, as long as you are using essential oils in the appropriate amounts and keeping them stored safely. Plus, many kinds of essential oils work as deterrents for other pests besides moths, such as spiders, centipedes, and earwigs.
Reasons to Avoid Chemical Sprays And Pesticides for Moths
Insecticides and chemical sprays can be very effective for serious moth infestations. However, they are also often toxic. When pets and humans are exposed to these strong chemicals, negative consequences and potential side effects must be considered. Not to mention, fumigating your entire home can be a real hassle. Instead, your best line of moth prevention is having a good defence. After all, if you can keep moths from entering your home in the first place, you won't have to resort to heavy-duty pesticides, fumigations, or other similar solutions.
Using Moth Traps instead of Essential Oils
If you do decide to take the essential oil route to deter moths, it is important that you do not combine oils with other moth trap products. If you choose to use moth traps then you still have natural options such as MothPrevention Clothes and Carpet Moth Traps which are high quality non-toxic pheromone traps that attract the active adult male moths. The moths will get caught on the sticky strip in the trap and, as it reduces the male population, it will also help break the breeding cycle.They are child and pet safe. However it is important to remember that if you have any other type of natural deterrent nearby this will distract from the traps. Similarly MothPrevention Pantry Moth Traps are non-toxic and safe for use in the kitchen. The main consideration is whether you wish to eliminate adult male moths using Traps which will help break the breeding cycle, or prefer to deter moths in general with essential oils.
How to Use Essential Oils for Moths
There are a few different types of essential oils that can be used to repel moths from pantries and closets. Cedar, bergamot, lavender, lemon, and rosemary essential oils are all good options to consider. Used correctly, all of these naturally occurring oils are safe for pets and people and deter moths in one way or another. Cedar is perhaps the best option for deterring Clothes Moths while rosemary can be very effective in discouraging Pantry Moths (Indian Meal Moths).
So how do you apply these oils for moth prevention? Do you spread them across your doorposts or drip them onto your shelves? Not exactly. When using essential oils for moths, generally people add them to sachets, dry wooden blocks, pouches, dryer tumbler balls, or other items where the fragrance will linger for a long time. After all, you don't want your clothes or pantry items to get all sticky and oily.
Using Essential Oils on Dryer Balls for Moths
To use essential oils to deter moths from clothes, woolen dryer balls are a great option. These balls cut drying time by up to 40% and naturally soften clothes. This makes your drying cycle more eco-friendly and also keeps wrinkles down! Wool dryer balls can be purchased online or in specialty stores. To use dryer balls and essential oils together, simply put a few drops of your preferred essential oils onto the dryer balls directly before each drying cycle. Then, run them through the dryer cycle with your clothing. This infuses your clothes with a hint of essential oils to naturally deter moths.
Making Essential Oils and Herb Sachets for Moth Prevention
Sometimes, it is best to use essential oils on moth-repellent sachets. These sachets absorb oil well and can be hung in closets or wardrobes to keep moths from wanting to investigate an area. You can use herbs like thyme, peppermint, and rosemary with essential oils like cedar, lemon, and bergamot to create fragrant sachets that can be hung for moth-repellent purposes.
It is recommended that you use one moth-repellent essential oil and herb sachet for every 5 square feet in an open-air space. So, if you have a big closet, you will probably want to hang sachets at both ends of it, with one sachet in the middle as well. In a wardrobe, one or two sachets should do the trick, depending on their size and the strength of the essential oils.
You can also add essential oil moth-repellent sachets in spacious drawers or bins where clothing will be stored. Be sure to place the sachets in the corners of drawers, wardrobes, or bins, where they won’t directly touch your clothing. That way, none of the essential oils will transfer onto the fabric, causing stains. Remember to replenish the oils in these sachets every few weeks or at least once a month to keep the scent fresh and the moths at bay.
The Best Essential Oil for Repelling Moths
Now that you know how to use essential oil for moths, you are probably wondering which essential oils are most effective for different types of insects. In this next section, we will discuss exactly what essential oil is good for preventing moths and how to use different methods to keep pesky moths out of your abode!
Cedarwood Essential Oil for Moths
Cedar has been used as a natural anti-moth solution for centuries. Even in ancient times, people built chests and sometimes entire dwellings with cedar wood to protect precious belongings and valuable fabrics inside. Bearing this in mind, cedarwood essential oil for moths can be a fantastic option to look into.
Cedar essential oils smell great and deter moths by disrupting their pheromones. Female Clothes Moths dislike the strong fragrance of the oil, making it a top option for moth prevention in linen closets, wardrobes, and other places where garments are kept.
Lavender Essential Oil for Moths
Another good option for deterring moths is lavender oil. When you use lavender essential oil for moths, the scent naturally deters the insects from wanting to nest or inhabit an area. Many people also like the scent of lavender essential oils. The floral notes of lavender can be pleasant to inhale, even as they fade. These factors make lavender a great option for scenting insect-repellent pouches, dryer balls, or moth-deterrent sachets.
The only downside of using lavender essential oils to get rid of moths is that lavender tends to fade over time. Indeed, the scent of lavender is strong at first but begins to dissipate within about a week. The strength of the lavender oil you purchase will determine how long it will linger. If you decide to use lavender essential oil for moths, consider combining it with another essential oil like lemon or cedar. Not only does this combination smell great, but it will help to prolong the life of lavender oil and enhance its moth-deterrent properties.
Rosemary Essential Oil for Moths
Dried rosemary, thyme, lavender, bay leaves, mint, and cloves, are all fantastic herbs that deter moths when combined. However, out of all of these substances, Rosemary is perhaps one of the most effective in keeping moths away from a pantry space. Not only does rosemary have a scent that naturally deters moths, but since many people already use this herb for cooking, it does not seem out of place in a kitchen or pantry space.
Lemon and Bergamot Essential Oils for Moths
Bergamot is a citrus fruit with tropical origins. It is commonly associated with Earl Gray tea. Lemon is another well-known essential oil that is fresh and bright with an invigorating smell. Both of these essential oils are good for insect-repelling purposes.
Essential Oil Moth Repellent Tips: Choosing the Best Solutions for a Moth-Free Home
If you decide to implement essential oils to keep moths out of your home, using the right kinds of essential oils in the correct strengths and in the right manners is important. Here are some tips for using essential oils to keep moths away.
Tip 1: Know what to look for when buying essential oils for pest prevention.
It is important to know what to look for when you are choosing essential oils. Not all essential oils are created equally! You want to buy highly concentrated essential oils that are made using 100% real, high-quality ingredients. When using essential oils for moth deterrent purposes, synthetics simply will not cut it!
Tip 2: In a closet, get the best essential oils for Clothes Moths to keep your garments safe and smelling great.
The essential oils that work best for Clothes Moths differ from those that work well for Pantry Moths. Not to mention, most people don't want their closet to smell like their pantry. So what essential oil is good for Clothes Moths? Cedar, bergamot, and lavender are your best options. All of these fragrances smell great if they linger on your clothing items.
Tip 3: Select the right essential oils for pantry moths so your food isn’t tainted or scented.
Now that you know what to use in your closets to keep moths away, which essential oil for Indian Meal Moths is best? Indian Meal Moths, otherwise known as Pantry Moths, are insects that love to lay eggs in pantry spaces or other areas where food is stored. To keep these moths away, thyme, lemon, and sage are all highly recommended essential oils. These oils are often found in edible ingredients and won’t taint the flavor of your food. Peppermint oil is another good option to consider.
Although you can use lavender and cedar oils in your pantry, these fragrances are not necessarily appetising. So, they’re better to use near garments and fabrics like silk, wool, cashmere, etc.
Tip 4: Do not rely on essential oils alone, you must first treat an infestation at its source.
If you are looking for ways to use essential oils for moth deterrence, chances are, you have already noticed a few adult moths fluttering around your house. If this is the case, you will want to eliminate any kind of infestation, no matter how small, at its source. Clean any suspected infested areas thoroughly and use Moth Traps to monitor for further moth presence. Try the MothPrevention Clothes Moth Killer Spray which is part of the Clothes Moth Killer Kit. Only once the Moth Traps have been removed can you start using essential oils.
FAQs on Getting Rid of Moths with Essential Oils
Now that you know all about your essential oil moth-repellent options, here are some frequently asked questions about using these oils to keep your home pest free.
What essential oils repel moths?
The best natural moth-repellent essential oil is cedar. Cedar oil is strong and effective and the moths don’t like it! Other good essential oils to repel moths include lavender, rosemary, lemon, bergamot, sage, and mint.
Do essential oils get rid of moths?
Essential oils can effectively repel pestilent moths. However, to rid your home of moths entirely, you will need to thoroughly clean any infested areas. Then, you should implement Moth Traps to capture flying adult male moths and break the reproductive cycle for good. Only after an infestation has been treated at its source can essential oils be used as a deterrent. So, while essential oils are a great option for keeping moths away from enclosed areas, they have to be used on their own, not when you have other moth treatment products placed nearby.
What smells do moths hate?
Clothes Moths detest the scent of cedar. They also dislike rosemary, thyme, sage, mint, bergamot, and lavender. Rosemary, thyme, and peppermint oils can be great for keeping Pantry Moths away.
Does peppermint oil get rid of moths?
Peppermint oil is a great moth deterrent. It can be used in pantries or even closets if you like the scent! Using peppermint oil in correlation with cedar oil or lavender oil, is a solid way to keep moths from wanting to investigate or invade an area of your house.
What essential oil is good for moths?
The best essential oil for moth prevention is cedar oil. Rosemary, lemon, thyme, peppermint, spearmint, and bergamot oils are other good options to look into if you want to keep moths out of your house naturally.
About MothPrevention
MothPrevention® speak to customers every day about their clothes moth issues - clothes moths are a species that are ever increasing and that can cause significant damage to clothes, carpets and other home textiles.
To date, we’ve helped over 250,000 customers deal with their moth problems. We have developed professional grade solutions including proprietary pheromones and trap design engineered to the highest production standards.
